The global pharmaceutical landscape witnessed a significant shift in Q1 2025 when Novo Nordisk's semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic for diabetes, achieved $8.484 billion in sales, surpassing Merck's Keytruda to become the world's top-selling pharmaceutical product.
This GLP-1 receptor agonist has revolutionized obesity treatment worldwide, creating unprecedented demand across markets. In China, where Novo Nordisk's weight loss version 'Novo Ying' launched in November 2024, the drug has demonstrated remarkable market penetration, generating approximately $100 million in sales during its first three months of availability.
The Chinese market presents unique characteristics for weight loss pharmaceuticals. With 41% of adults classified as overweight and 9% as obese according to 2025 World Obesity Atlas data, China represents the largest potential market for anti-obesity medications. The government's designation of 2025 as the 'National Weight Management Year' has further accelerated market growth.
Novo Nordisk's early market education efforts, including public awareness campaigns framing obesity as a chronic disease rather than a lifestyle choice, positioned the company advantageously. Their digital strategy leverages platforms like JD Health and Meituan for prescription fulfillment, combining medical necessity with consumer convenience.
However, competition intensifies as Eli Lilly's tirzepatide (Mounjaro) entered the Chinese market just one month after Novo Ying. Clinical trials demonstrate tirzepatide's superior efficacy - achieving up to 22.5% body weight reduction compared to semaglutide's 15-18%. Despite being priced nearly double Novo Ying's cost, tirzepatide has gained traction among high-income urban consumers.
The impending patent expiration of semaglutide in 2026 threatens Novo Nordisk's pricing power. Seven domestic pharmaceutical companies, including Innovent Biologics, are preparing biosimilar versions. Innovent's mazdutide, a GLP-1/GCG dual agonist showing 24.5% weight reduction in trials, may launch as early as late 2025.
Market projections suggest China's weight loss drug sector could exceed ¥100 billion by 2030. This growth reflects fundamental shifts in obesity treatment paradigms - from willpower-dependent methods to pharmaceutical interventions targeting neuroendocrine pathways regulating appetite and metabolism.
Emerging consumption patterns reveal intriguing demographics. Male users now constitute approximately 40% of Novo Ying prescriptions, particularly in finance and consulting sectors where professional appearance carries significant weight. Digital platforms report 80% quarterly increases in weight loss medication searches, with nutrition supplements supporting pharmaceutical treatment growing 50% annually.
The industry faces critical challenges in balancing accessibility with safety. Strict prescription requirements (BMI≥30 or ≥27 with comorbidities) aim to prevent inappropriate use, but social media platforms reveal concerning trends of off-label usage among weight-conscious individuals below clinical thresholds.
As the market matures, success will depend on comprehensive care models combining pharmaceutical intervention with nutritional guidance and behavioral support. Specialty weight management clinics report higher adherence and satisfaction when providing integrated services rather than medication alone.
The Chinese weight loss pharmaceutical market stands at an inflection point. With multiple GLP-1 analogs in development and increasing acceptance of obesity pharmacotherapy, the coming decade will likely see expanded treatment options, improved affordability through competition, and hopefully, better long-term health outcomes for China's growing population affected by obesity-related conditions.